Elle Rallis Dackis

Elle R. Dackis, beloved wife, mother, Yiayia, great-Yiayia, sister, Thea, Nona, oracle to all, and Dackis family matriarch died peacefully, November 15, 2024, at the age of 100.

Elle was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 17, 1924, to George and Grace Rallis. Elle’s parents immigrated to the United States from Asia Minor in the early 20th century. Elle grew up in Cleveland’s close-knit Greek community during the Great Depression, living above her parents’ restaurant with her sisters Theresa and Erene, and brother George. All her life, she was deeply proud of her Greek heritage.

At 19, Elle met her husband and the love of her life, William “Bill” Dackis, while walking out of services at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland. Because Bill was new in town, Elle invited him home that day to join her family for lunch. Soon after, Bill left Cleveland to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Though oceans apart, Elle kept the Postal Service busy by writing letters to Bill every day. Four years later, on June 20, 1948, Elle and Bill were married at the same church where they first met, and remained happily together for 68 years, until Bill’s passing in 2016. They raised three children, became active members of their local Greek community, and always stayed close with their extended families through annual road trips to Ohio and North Carolina. Bill’s career took them from Lacrosse, WI, to Wilmette, IL, and Short Hills, NJ, and included many trips abroad with Elle. They made scores of good friends along the way before finally settling in Bethesda, MD to be close to their daughters.

Elle lived a remarkably long and healthy life. In her first century on Earth, she made only three trips to the hospital -- one for the birth of each of her children. She was a voracious reader, superb baker, dedicated swimmer (40 laps-a-day), loyal Democrat, and generous volunteer (at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ and the Greek Orthodox church). She was also known for her green thumb and prolific letter writing and remained in close touch with friends and relatives across the U.S. and the world.

Those who knew Elle will lovingly remember her warm and engaging personality, her razor-sharp wit, infectious laugh, and instant recall of facts, stories, people, and outfits worn long ago. In recent years, her friends and family spent countless afternoons sitting with Elle at her kitchen table, enjoying coffee, biscotti, and conversation.

Elle was a woman of great faith who put her family above all else. We loved her deeply and will always miss her. May her memory be eternal.

Elle is survived by her beloved sister Teresa Hill; children Grace Buas (and her husband Michael) of Kensington, MD, Charles Dackis of Doylestown, PA, and Penelope Dackis of Bethesda, MD; grandchildren Matthew, Michelle, Melissa, Christine, Alexandra, William, and Eric; great-grandchildren Jacob, Ava, and Vivienne; and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and beloved friends.

Elle’s favorite poem, which she recited by heart throughout her life, was I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth:

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude.

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

A funeral liturgy for Elle will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2815 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007. Following the funeral liturgy will be an interment at 1:00 PM at Parklawn Memorial Gardens, 12800 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20853.

"Contributions may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, or the Red Cross."